October 31, 2019
Members Present: | Other Member Present: |
Representative Rick Hansen | Senator Ann H. Rest |
Representative Tina Liebling | |
Representative Nels Pierson | |
Senator Michelle Benson | |
Senator Matt D. Klein | |
Senator Mark W. Koran |
Senator Koran, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) Executive Subcommittee meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a performance evaluation plan and procedures for conducting performance evaluations of the Legislative Auditor and Deputy Legislative Auditors.
Tom Bottern, Senate Counsel Director, Greg Hubinger, Legislative Coordinating Commission Director, and Patrick McCormack, House Research Director, each explained the processes their respective legislative offices follow for performance reviews. A performance evaluation plan drafted by House Research staff was provided to members as a starting point.
Senator Koran asked Jim Nobles, Legislative Auditor, Chris Buse, Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Financial Audit Division, and Judy Randall, Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Program Evaluation Division, to provide their perspectives on the evaluation plan. All three said they were in favor of formalizing the process, since reviews had been mostly informal in the past.
There was discussion among the members about the draft performance evaluation plan. Senator Koran mentioned that he would like Senate staff to review the plan. Senator Rest asked that the “slang” terminology be changed for more clarity. Senator Benson noted that voting on the evaluation plan should not be tied to reappointments and that the plan would not need to be finalized before the votes on reappointments occurred. Representative Hansen confirmed that there would not be time to finalize it by the reappointment deadline, which was November 17.
Mr. Nobles said he would provide feedback on the performance of the office and deputies to the LAC before next week’s meeting. Mr. McCormack added that he, Mr. Bottern, and Mr. Hubinger were prepared to move forward on updating the draft based on members’ comments made during the meeting. He also said that they would meet with the Legislative Auditor and two Deputies to gather their suggested changes to the evaluation plan.
Senator Rest pointed out that the LAC had not made a mistake in the past by appointing the Legislative Auditor without a formal process or documentation. Representative Hansen said that preventing problems before they occur is important, and thus the need for a formal process. He added that one member from each body and each party should work with the nonpartisan staff on the evaluation plan. It was noted that Senator Rest would work with nonpartisan staff on the plan in place of Senator Klein.
With no further business, Senator Koran adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Senator Mark W. Koran, Executive Subcommittee Chair
Shelly Gilb, Recording Secretary